A few thoughts

• We're debt-free. It feels amazing!
• Remind me not to move when I am 9 months pregnant ever again. Kudos to my mom who did it with the twins (and 6 other kids)!
• No baby yet. Could be a couple of weeks still. I've been telling people that we need our washer and dryer installed first. This was supposed to be done weeks ago, and I have no idea when it will be finished. All I know is baby can't come until then :)

A walk in the park

Amy A, Lorina R, Nat J, Clare T, Lana A

I had the brilliant (if I do say so myself :) idea for a walk around a local park. It was the perfect fall weather, and we have so many trees turning a pretty yellow right now. None of us knew there was a big hill in the middle of the loop, but good exercise, right? We all enjoyed ourselves and are thinking of making it a weekly event.

We've added a couple ladies to our local number this summer, and lost one to Williston. More North Dakotans are always welcome!

In a rut

A characteristic of oil country summers: ruts in the tar. Some of them are so deep, the middle raised part can scrape the bottom of unsuspecting cars!

I never would have thought of this happening before seeing it.

Now I know why Mark's crew can't move their rig when it's over 85 degrees out- it is so heavy, it will wreck the roads.

Nosebleeds

Anyone else have horrible nosebleeds while pregnant? It scared both my husband and me when we woke early this morning to a puddle of blood on my pillow. I've had some nasal congestion too, and it seems they are related. Yuck!

I got my car detailed inside and the seat installed, so at least that is clean and ready for baby. If only my house was that clean...

Sweet #11

Vanessa Evan was born at home to Shane, Brittany and Mya last night. She was a healthy 7 pounds and 21 inches.
We are happy to have another niece (and close-in-age cousin to our babe), and for my parents to have their eleventh grandchild!

I realized as I looked at the title of this post that it doesn't really fit with today's date. A date none of us will forget.

However, as I remember all the people who sacrificed this day in 2001 and since, I get to celebrate my sweet hubby's birthday! And a happy birthday to my SIL Chrissy too :)

We've moved!

Just upstairs, but it was still a lot of work. Luckily, these guys helped (Eldie, Erick, Marty, and Michael).

Eldie got stuck for a bit behind the fridge...

That cute little nursery closet we had is now a full-on nursery bedroom! Hurray! We've got room for you to come stay!

If you had our previous address, just drop the 1/2 from it, and that's our new one.

GCN

Girls Coffee Night.
In other states, I would have rarely driven 1 hr and 15 min late at night just to have coffee. Distance doesn't mean as much here.
What a grand time we had though- I forget how much FUN it is to have girl time :)
Why don't I ever take pictures??

Early anniversary celebration

Deadwood, SD was our first stop. A wagon train was coming through town while we were there.

The town is built in what seems like a ravine, with steep, rocky hills on both sides.

We stayed at a B & B in Nemo, then spent Sunday in Rapid City.  I think we scoured every western store in town looking for the perfect pair of cowboy boots for this guy.

We didn't find that perfect pair, but I found a few things for me (and baby).
Dinner was a delicious (and spendy) affair at the Dakotah Steakhouse.

I forgot how pretty the Black Hills are: the trees, rivers, and hills were a balm to our eyes. The weekend was a relaxing get-away before our lives change quite drastically in the next month or so.

Family Fun Weekend

A couple of weeks ago, my family came out to ND to camp. It was quite convenient for those of us that live in the state.

We had a good time! 

 Hiking...

Shopping in the town of Medora...

Avoiding bison... They came right through our campsite! It was quite nerve-wracking, and I didn't even have kids to worry about.

The guys went golfing at Bully Pulpit, probably the best course in ND. They all gave it rave reviews.

I think camping may become an annual family event!